Fog dispenser having a motor for simultaneously operating a pump and impeller



June 14, 1966 w. J. KENNEY 3,255,967

FOG DISPENSER HAVING A MOTOR FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY OPERATING A PUMP ANDIMPELLER Filed March 18, 1964 INVENTOR. William J Kenney JLZZMYM aliysUnited States Patent 3,255,967 FOG DISPENSER HAVING A MOTGR FOR SIMUL-TANEOUSLY OPERATING A PUMP AND IM- PELLER William J. Kenney, Villa Park,Ill., assignor to Me-Hi Enterprises, Incorporated, Los Angeles, Calif, acorporation of California Filed Mar. 18, 1964, Ser. No. 352,850 3Claims. (Cl. 239-133) This invention relates to a mechanism fordispensing material. In particular, the mechanism is adapted to dispensematerial in the form of a fog whereby the material can be distributed ina particular area in a highly efficient manner.

There are many varieties of dispenser mechanisms which are capable ofdispensing material whereby the material can be spread throughout arelatively large space. Spray guns and similar constructions are adaptedto force liquid material out of a nozzle structure whereby the materialis dispensed inspray form. Other constructions such as atomizcrs holdliquid material under pressure and upon opening of a valve, the materialis forced out of the construction due to the pressure differential. Anozzle device is preferably employed whereby the material will assume aparticulate or atomized form for better distribution.

Existing dispenser constructions of thetype described are known tosuffer from certain deficiencies. In the case of spray guns or similardevices, the liquid material tends to be directed in a specificdirection. The material issuing from the spray nozzles is not of itselfcapable of movement for distribution over a wide area. Material passingfrom such guns tends to collect in liquid form on solid surfaces andtends to fall due to the effects of gravity whereby desirabledistribution cannot be achieved.

It is obvious that spray structures operating in the manner describedabove are not suitable where a room or other area is desirablycompletely penetrated by the material dispensed. In the case ofinsecticide, disinfectant, etc., it is desirable to provide distributioncompletely throughout a particular space, and it is desirable to providefor suspension of the dispensed material for prolonged periods of timewhereby maximum efficiency in the use of the materials can be achieved.

Atomizer structures and similar devices are usually limited in theirability to spread materials efficiently where large areas are to betreated. Furthermore, conventional atomizers present difficulties in theinitial packaging of liquids since the pressure must be built into theinitial package. Constructions which include means for building uppressure during the operation of the device are considered cumbersomeand expensive. Where pressurized containers are initially employed, theyare usually not capable of being reused, and this also adds to theobjections which characterize such devices.

It is an object of this invention to provide a dispenser constructionwhich is designed to overcome difficulties encountered with conventionalconstructions employed for the dispensing of liquid materials.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a dispenserconstruction which is uniquely suitable for dispensing liquid in theform of a fog whereby a highly desirable suspension of the dispensedmaterial in a given space can be achieved.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a dispenserconstruction which is relatively economical in its manufacture and useand which is highly efficient in its operation.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter andfor purposes of illustration but not of communicate with the containerand with the nozzle toetfect the desired movement of the liquid to thenozzle. In addition, impeller means are included in the constructionwhereby air can be drawn into the housing and brought into intimatecontact with the liquid in the area of the nozzle. This combination ofthe liquid and forced air sets up the desired conditions for theproduction of a fog which can be dispensed for producing uniquelysuitable results. i

In the preferred construction of this invention, heating means areprovided in the nozzle area whereby the best results from the standpointof fog production can be achieved. The heating means are preferablylocated whereby all of the air-liquid mixture will be heated duringinitial contact and preferably for a period of time prior to dischargefrom the construction.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a dispenser construction 10 which embodiesoperating mechanisms suitable for achieving the desired results. Theconstruction includes a handle 12 which is connected to the main housing14. A liquid container 16 is provided with a threaded neck 18 whereby itcan be screwed onto the bottom wall 20 of the housing.

A motor 22 is situated within the housing and electrical leads 24provide power for the motor. A switch 26 is adapted to turn the motoroff and on in a conventional manner.

A gear box 28 connected to the motor is adapted to drive shafts 30 and32. The gear box is provided so that different rotary speeds can beimparted to the shafts for reasons to be described hereinafter.

The shaft 30 is journalled for rotation in the bottom wall 34 of aninternal compartment 36. Impeller plates 38 are attached to the-shaftwhereby rotation of the shaft will draw air into the compartment 36through the opening 40. Openings 42 and 44 are provided in the bottomwall 20 of the housing to provide a means for permitting air to be drawninto the housing. It will be appreciated that openings can be providedin any appropriate location to provide the desired results.

A gear 46 is tied to the shaft 32, and this gear drives gear 48 which ismounted on shaft 50, this shaft having suitable bearing mountings (notshown). A cam 52 is secured for rotation with the shaft 50 and gear 48whereby operation of a pump assembly can be achieved simultaneously withthe operation of the impeller.

The pump assembly includes a cylinder 54 having a piston 56 reciprocallylocated therein. A spring 58 normally holds the piston 56in oppositionto the action of the cam 52. As best shown in FIGURE 2, a cycle ofrotation of the cam 52 will provide for the movement of the piston 56through one reciprocal cyle.

The bore 60 of the cylinder 54 communicates with a central opening 62 inthe tube 64. This tube terminates at its lower end in a check valveconstruction 66. Amounts of liquid 68 which are drawn into the tube 64and into the cylinder 54 are forced by the pump out through conduit 70.

The conduit 70 communicates with a nozzle 72 which is rigidly attachedto a front wall 74 of the housing 14. The restricted outlet 76 of thenozzle causes the liquid to issue in the form of a spray 78 into atubular chamber 80. At one end of the chamber 80, there is provided anannular opening 82 which encircles the nozzle 72, As suggested by theflow lines in the drawing, air drawn into the housing is forced by theimpeller through the opening 84 of the compartment 36. This air isdriven into the chamber 80 and is, therefore, brought into intimatecontact with the spray 78.

Situated around the chamber 80, there are provided heating coils 86.These heating coils are preferably operated through connections with theelectrical leads 24, and the heating means play a critical role in theformation of the desired fog. Specifically, the heating of the intimatemixture of air and liquid spray causes a reaction which produces the fogand which also assists in the movement of the fog out of the chamber 80for distribution in the desired manner.

In the operation of the described unit, the motor is turned on at whichtime the pump and impeller means will immediately begin to operate. Insome instances, it may be desirable to provide for preliminary heatingby means of the coils 86; however, in any case, the desired conditionsfor the production of fog can be achieved in a relatively short time.Within the wall of the shell 90, which encloses the heating coils 86,insulation may be provided to keep the shell as cool as possible. It iscontemplated that openings could 'be provided for access within theshell 90 whereby air would be passed into the chamber 80 after firstbeing swept over the heating coils to thereby achieve a moresatisfactory temperature rise. However, this arrangement should be usedonly where non-combustible chemicals are employed.

The combination of this invention has been found to provide a highlyeflicient arrangement for the dispensing of a material provided in theform of a liquid. The particular arrangement of fans or impeller meansprovides an extremely effective system for forming the desired fog aswell as for providing impetus whereby the fog can be dispensed over awide area. The arrangement illustrated introduces the principles of aturbine means into a liquid dispenser and the highly suitable operationof the device is primarily attributed to this fact. Furthermore, theinclusion of the heating arrangement in the combination is considered ofcritical importance.

With regard to the illustrated construction, it will be noted that theair and liquid come into intimate contact near one end of the chamber 80and they remain in such contact for a significant distance determined bythe length of the chamber 80. A substantial heating eifect is therebyachieved whereby the most effective fog formation can be accomplished.

As previously noted, the construction should include a gear box wherebydifferent speeds of rotation can be imparted to the fan and pump,respectively. In one suitable combination, a motor imparting 1625 r.p.mto the impeller was employed. A 32-1 reduction was achieved by thegearing for operation of the pump.

Calrod units are considered suitable for use as the heating meansalthough other desirable heating means are also contemplated.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can bemade in the construction described which provide the characteristics ofthis invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly asdefined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. A dispenser adapted to release material in the form of a fogcomprising a housing having a liquid container associated therewith, ahandle associated with the housing whereby the dispenser can be handheld, a spray nozzle, :a pump, means communicating said container andsaid nozzle whereby said pump is adapted to force liquid into saidnozzle, openings defined by said housing and impeller means adapted todraw air into said housing through said openings and adapted to forceair into intimate contact with said liquid as the liquid issues as aspray from said nozzle for mixture with said liquid to form said fog andfor discharge from said dispenser, said impeller means comprising arotary fan and including a motor associated with said housing fordriving said fan and for simultanelOllSlY operating said pump, andincluding a chamber communicating with said nozzle, heating meansassociated with said chamber whereby the mixture of air and liquid canbe heated prior to being dispensed, said nozzle being located adjacentthe inner end of said chamber whereby admixture of said air and liquidoccurs at said inner end, said chamber being elongated whereby themixture of air and liquid can be heated for a substantial distance priorto being dispensed from said chamber.

2. A dispenser in accordance with claim 1 wherein said. pump includes areciprocal piston and wherein said piston is operated by a cam mountedon a shaft which is axially aligned with the shaft carrying said fan,said pump being operated during each revolution of the shaft carryingsaid cam.

3. A dispenser in accordance with claim 2 including gear reduction meansassociated with the shaft carrying said cam whereby said cam is adaptedto rotate at a rate substantially less than the rate of rotation of saidfan.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,587,965 3/1952Campbell 239-332 2,745,210 5/1956 Hild 43-125 2,765,578 10/1956 Andrews43125 3,069,092 '11/1962 Norvell 239-133 3,134,191 5/1964 Davis 2'39-1333,161,985 11/1964 Fiske et al. 43129 FOREIGN PATENTS 641,739 8/1950Great Britain.

M. HENSON WOOD, IR., Primary Examiner. R. STROBEL, Assistant Examiner.

1. A DISPENSER ADAPTED TO RELEASE MATERIAL IN THE FORM OF A FOGCOMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING A LIQUID CONTAINER ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, AHANDLE ASSOCIATED WITH THE HOUSING WHEREBY THE DISPENSER CAN BE HANDHELD, A SPRAY NOZZLE, A PUMP, MEANS COMMUNICATING SAID CONTAINER ANDSAID NOZZLE WHEREBY SAID PUMP IS ADAPTED TO FORCE LIQUID INTO SAIDNOZZLE, OPENINGS DEFINED BY SAID HOUSING AND IMPELLER MEANS ADAPTED TODRAW AIR INTO SAID HOUSING THROUGH SAID OPENINGS AND ADAPTED TO FORCEAIR INTO INTIMATE CONTACT WITH SAID LIQUID AS THE LIQUID ISSUES AS ASPRAY FROM SAID NOZZLE FOR MIXTURE WITH SAID LIQUID TO FORM SAID FOG ANDFOR DISCHARGE FROM SAID DISPENSER, SAID IMPELLER MEANS COMPRISING AROTARY FAN AND INCLUDING A MOTOR ASSOCIATED WITH SAID HOUSING FORDRIVING SAID FAN AND FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY OPERATING SAID PUMP, ANDINCLUDING A CHAMBER COMMUNICATING WITH SAID NOZZLE, HEATING MEANSASSOCIATED WITH SAID CHAMBER WHEREBY THE MIXTURE OF AIR AND LIQUID CANBE HEATED PRIOR TO BEING DISPENSED, SAID NOZZLE BEING LOCATED ADJACENTTHE INNER END OF SAID CHAMBER WHEREBY ADMIXTURE OF SAID AIR AND LIQUIDOCCURS AT SAID INNER END, SAID CHAMBER BEING ELONGATED WHEREBY THEMIXTURE OF AIR AND LIQUID CAN BE HEATED FOR A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE PRIORTO BEING DISPENSED FROM SAID CHAMBER.